Vision for Bryghusprojektet

‘Bryghusprojektet creates a new and extraordinary venue for life in the city.

Bryghusprojektet is also initiating several new bridges that are going up across and along the harbour. Bridges that tie the city and the harbour together. Bridges that create new connections.

Bryghusprojektet provides a setting for recreational outdoor urban spaces, playgrounds, homes and cafés as well as a unique forum for the built environment with room for work, exhibitions, research and reflection. This is going to be an extraordinary place. A place that embraces both popular and professional activities. A shared place for the creative professions involved in urban development, construction, architecture and design.

A place that is open to everyone and brimming with exciting attractions – from exhibitions over lectures and workshops to a restaurant and a bookstore.

Bryghusprojektet – an active asset for Copenhagen and for Denmark.’

Location and connections

Animation made by OMA. November 2011.

Bryghusprojektet occupies the so-called Brewery Site, which sits in a busy central location: close to the bridge Langebro, 800 metres from City Hall Square, bordered by Vester Voldgade, Frederiksholms Kanal and, on the third side, the harbour and the arterial road Ring 2. That is the setting of this exciting new place in the city. A place that is inspiring to visit. And a place that invites passers-by to pause, spend some time and take in the scene: experiencing architecture, visiting the playground, enjoying food and drink or simply taking in the view of the harbour.

Bryghusprojektet brings new life to this part of the city and ties together the harbour and central Copenhagen. It features a new bridge across the harbour for pedestrians and cyclists and creates connections in places where it is difficult to stroll today. Bryghusprojektet is centrally located in relation to the new bridges and connections that the City of Copenhagen and Realdania are planning. With its location, the project suggests a new possible culture route, where the new building, which houses the Danish Architecture Centre, connects with Slotsholmen, the site of the Danish Parliament, as well as a range of cultural institutions including the National Museum of Denmark, the Royal Danish Arsenal Museum, The Royal Library and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.

Historical background of the site

The Brewery Site with the former Langebro. 1931.

The Brewery Site emerged in the 1660s as a result of landfills in the harbour and on the islet of Frederiksholm.
The first brewery was established here already in 1767.
From 1772 until 1923, the site housed the King’s Brewery. Thus, beer for royal and public consumption was brewed here for more than 150 years.
The King’s Brewery burned down in 1960, and for the next 50 years, the area was used for a temporary playground and a car park.
In 1994, Ørestad Development Corporation (Ørestadsselskabet) acquired the site from the Danish state.
Realdania Byg bought the site in 2005 with a view to creating a new building and an urban space of exceptional architectural quality that would enhance the area and help tie the city and the harbour together.

Project history

The groundbreaking May 2013.

Occupancy (2017)

The building is scheduled to be completed and operational.

Construction (2013-2017)

The project is under construction.

Preliminary project and main project (2010-2013)

The project proposal is drawn up. It contains a more detailed design brief for the building as well as drawings and models of the basic principles for the project.
The project proposal is turned into a preliminary project, which forms the basis for an application for a building permit.
The main project is prepared, describing the construction stages in detail. In a bidding round, prices are obtained, and arrangements are made with the contractors.

Programming (2007-2009)

Drawing up the construction brief. The construction brief is a more detailed description of the client’s requirements and requests for the finished structure.
Establishing a programme for preliminary site assessment with regard to environmental, geo-technical and archaeological issues.
Preparing the conceptual design. The conceptual design includes the initial drawings and models of the construction. It describes the main lines of the structure including the overall shape of the building, the distribution of square metres for the various functions and the types of materials to be used.

The idea phase (2006)

The overall vision for the project is articulated.
Urban space and urban history analysis is carried out.
The architect is selected. The idea brief is drawn up.

Project partners

The Danish Architecture Centre (DAC) will be an important part of the finished project – and a close project partner throughout the planning and construction phase.

Realdania Byg

Realdania Byg compiles and publicises a portfolio of unique properties in Denmark. That also applies to Bryghusprojektet, which aims to make a difference and generate development and change in the area. Throughout, the project is based on close cooperation with the surroundings, curious dialogue and the development of the strong networks that make Bryghusprojektet an extraordinary setting for life in the city.

Bryghusprojektet is scheduled to be ready for use in 2017.

Contact

Photo: Lars Gundersen/Realdania Byg

Contact us if you have any questions

During the construction period (until 2017), Bryghusprojektet has its offices in Fæstningens Materialgård (the Fortification Materials Yard), which faces the construction site. Realdania purchased the site, and Realdania Byg is the client for Bryghusprojektet.